Big Bend National Park Adventure

We will start our adventure by traveling from campus to Kartchner Caverns Campground in Arizona for our first night. The following day, we’ll drive to Chisos Basin Group Campground in Big Bend National Park, with stops in El Paso for lunch and a visit to the unique Prada Marfa art installation. Our backpacking trip will kick off with a 4-mile hike to Boot Canyon Campground, where we’ll set up camp and explore the nearby Boot Spring. The next day, we’ll hike to Emory Peak, the highest point in the park, followed by the iconic South Rim Trail for breathtaking views. On Thursday, we’ll return to the van and head to Santa Elena Canyon for a scenic 1.4-mile hike along the Rio Grande, stopping at stunning viewpoints like Mule Ears and Sotol Vista. Friday will feature the Lost Mine Trail, a moderate hike with fantastic vistas, with an optional follow-up hike to the Window Trail. We’ll then visit the Panther Junction Visitor Center to learn more about the park. On Saturday, we’ll explore Boquillas Canyon, a picturesque 1.2-mile hike, and soak in the historic Hot Springs. Finally, we’ll pack up early on Sunday and drive to El Paso for a hotel stay, allowing time to explore the city before making our way back to campus on Monday.

Trip Cost     
SRWC Member: $360
Faculty, Staff, Non-Enrolled CSUSB Student, and Alumni Association: $390
Affiliate: $405
Sponsored Guest: $420

Pre-Trip Meeting / Sign-Up Deadline
December 10, 2024 @ 6pm

Activity Level
3 – Adventurous

Trip Departs From
CSUSB Student Recreation and Wellness Center at 8:00am
Palm Desert Campus, Meet in front of Indian Wells Theater at 9:30am

Itinerary 

Day 1: Leave CSUSB San Bernardino Campus and pick up participants from Palm Desert campus on our way to Kartchner Caverns State Park in Arizona (500 miles, 5hr 30min). We will stop for lunch and dinner on the way. Once at the state park we set up camp and rest for the night. 

Day 2: After a easy breakfast we hit the road for Chisos Basin campground in Big Bend National Park (611 miles, 9hrs, 30min). Along the way, we’ll stop in El Paso for lunch and visit the unique Prada Marfa art installation before arriving at camp. This will be our base for the next few days as we explore the park. 

Day 3: After breakfast we prepare for our first adventure in Big Bend. Our adventure starts with a 4-mile hike from Chisos Basin Trailhead to Boot Canyon Campground. The hike features 2,000 feet of elevation gain, leading us into the heart of the Chisos Mountains with incredible views. We'll camp at Boot Canyon for the night and have time to explore the nearby Boot Spring.

Day 4: In the morning, we’ll hike to Emory Peak, the highest point in the park, with breathtaking panoramic views. The 5.2-mile round trip has 1,336 feet of elevation gain. Afterward, we’ll take on the iconic South Rim Trail, a 7-mile hike along the rim offering sweeping views of the desert and mountains below. This is one of Big Bend’s most renowned hikes, taking us deep into the wilderness.

Day 5: We’ll wrap up our backpacking and return to the van before driving to the stunning Santa Elena Canyon. The short but impressive 1.4-mile hike takes us along the Rio Grande, with sheer canyon walls towering above us. On the way back, we’ll stop at scenic overlooks like Mule Ears Viewpoint and Sotol Vista Overlook, perfect for sunset viewing. We will set up camp once again at Chisos Basin campground. 

Day 6: We start the day with the Lost Mine Trail, a 4.8-mile moderate hike offering great views of the Chisos Mountains and desert below. There’s an option to follow this with the Window Trail, another 5.6-mile hike leading to a natural "window" in the rock with incredible desert views.

Panther Junction: In the afternoon, we’ll visit the Panther Junction Visitor Center to learn more about the park and pick up souvenirs.

Day 7: Boquillas Canyon & Hot Springs: We’ll head to the Boquillas Canyon Trail, a 1.2-mile hike through one of the most scenic sections of the Rio Grande, with high canyon walls and sandy riverbanks. Afterward, we’ll visit the historic Hot Springs for a relaxing soak.

Day 8: We’ll pack up early and drive to El Paso for a stay at a hotel, giving everyone a chance to rest and explore the city.

Day 9: After an average free hotel breakfast we load the van one last time and head for Cali. We will stop for lunch, dinner, gas and restrooms. 

Packing List

Weather

Food
19 meals are included, starting with breakfast on day 2 (8 breakfasts, 6 lunches, and 5 dinners)
7 meal are not included (3 lunches, 4 dinner). We will stop at restaurants.

Hygiene and Comfort
The first night will be spent at Kartchner Caverns State Park in Arizona. It has potable water, flush toilets, and showers. Our second night we arrive to Chisos Basin Campground. It has potable water, flush toilets, and no showers. On the 3rd - 5th day we will be carrying our all our food, shelter, clothing, water, and equipment in a pack weighing up to 40lbs. We will be staying in remote wilderness campsites. We will bring water with us for these three days, there are no restrooms, we will follow leave no trace principles to dispose of human waste. There are no showers. The next 3 nights will be back at Chisos Basin Campground. You will have the option to share a tent with one or two people or sleep out under the cover of the stars.  Light weight tents, warm synthetic sleeping bags, foam pads and ground tarps will be provided to ensure a comfortable night’s sleep. The ground consists of soft and hard soil. Our final night will be spent at a hotel with showers and electricity. You will share a room with up to 3 other people.  

Risk / Hazards / Safety

Cancellation Policy    

How to Register   

Registration Opens 10/15/24 at 8:00am